By Don Heckman Monday (6/13) …Monday nights have long been favorite occasions to hear big bands in action. As is often the case in L.A. Here are two of this week’s most bountiful opportunities: Stellar guitarist Kenny Burrell and the his swinging L.A. Jazz Unlimited Orchestra are at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood. Also… Read More THE BEST MUSIC TO SEE AND HEAR THIS WEEK JUNE 13 – 19 IN LOS ANGELES
By Don Heckman Hollywood, CA. The 2014 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition came to a dramatic conclusion Sunday night in a All-Star Gala event at Dolby Hall in Hollywood. This year, the Competition was for trumpet players. And the three finalists each offered a display of their considerable skills in a setting that allowed each… Read More Live Music: The Thelonious Monk 2014 International Jazz Competition Gala
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 20. (Tues.) Carol Welsman. She sings with an utter mastery of jazz vocalizing. Add to that Carol’s equally impressive piano playing, always imaginative, always swinging. She doesn’t do a lot of club dates, so don’t miss this one. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – May 20. (Tues.) Guitar… Read More Picks of the Week: May 19 – 25
By Don Heckman Roberta Gambarini didn’t waste any time establishing her impressive jazz credentials at Catalina Bar & Grill Thursday night. Relying on her perfect pitch and her brilliant interpretive skills, she strolled on stage, picked up a microphone and began to sing a stunning version of Cole Porter’s “So In Love” without a whisper… Read More Live Jazz: Roberta Gambarini and Kenny Burrell at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 15. (Mon.) L.A. Jazz Orchestra Unlimited. With Kenny Burrell. Guitarist/educator Burrell leads an aggregation of some of the Southland’s fine big band players. Catalina Bar & Grill. (223) 466-2210. – July 16. (Tues.) Nora Rothman. With an appealing vocal style, young jazz artist Rothman offers what she describes… Read More Picks of the Week: July 15 – 21
By Don Heckman Kenny Burrell took a break Friday night from his academic duties at U.C.L.A., where he has been the driving force behind the establishment – and the expansion – of the University’s superb jazz program. Working with his quartet at Catalina Bar and Grill, his far-ranging performance recalled some of the high points… Read More Live Jazz: The Kenny Burrell Quintet at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Hollywood, CA. The line waiting to get in to Catalina Bar & Grill at 7:30 Thursday night stretched all the way back to the jazz venue’s nearby garage. And it was moving slowly. But there was no sign of anyone leaving. Not for this performance. Not with a stellar assemblage of talented… Read More Live Jazz: A Tribute to Bill Henderson at Catalina Bar & Grill
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – April 17. (Wed.) Corky Hale and special guest Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge perform selections from the Billie Holiday songbook. Pianist/harpist Hale, who accompanied Holiday in the ‘50s, is well qualified for the job. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. April 17. (Wed.) Julian Coryell. The son of fine… Read More Picks of the Week: April 17 – 21
By Don Heckman It was all about Kenny Burrell Saturday night at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Burrell the guitarist, Burrell the founder of the University’s jazz studies program, Burrell the teacher, Burrell the all around good guy. More than three months after the actual date – July 31 – the UCLA Live event celebrated his 80th… Read More Live Jazz: Kenny Burrell 80 Years Young at Royce Hall
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 8. (Tues.) Rick Braun Sings. Trumpeter Rick Braun, a high visibility instrumentalist in the smooth jazz arena, displays his engaging vocal skills on his latest album, the appropriately titled Rick Braun Sings With Strings. Vitello’s. (818) 769-0905. – Nov. 9. (Wed.) Phil Norman Tentet CD release party. The… Read More Picks of the Week Nov. 8 – 13
The International Review of Music 